Hemorrhoids are swollen and irritated veins or blood vessels in and around your anus and lower rectum. This happens when there is extra pressure on these veins.

Hemorrhoids can be either inside your anus (internal) or under the skin around your anus (external).

They are very common. About half of all people will have hemorrhoids by age 50.

And hemorrhoids often occur during pregnancy and childbirth. The pressure of carrying a baby puts extra stress on the blood vessels in the pelvic area. Straining to push the baby out when giving birth also puts extra pressure on these blood vessels.

You may get hemorrhoids if you:

• Often strain during bowel movements.
• Are pregnant.
• Have a family history of hemorrhoids.
• Are older.
• Have long-term or chronic constipation or diarrhea.

Hemorrhoids are very common. Most people will have a hemorrhoid at some time in their life.

You are more likely to get hemorrhoids if you:

• Are pregnant.
• Sit on the toilet for too long.
• Have obesity.
• Do things that make you strain more, such as heavy lifting.
• Have a family history of hemorrhoids.
• Have long-term or chronic constipation or diarrhea.
• Are between 45 and 65 years old.

Each person's symptoms may vary. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Bright red blood in your stool, on toilet paper, or in your toilet bowl.
• Pain and irritation around your anus.
• Swelling or a hard lump around your anus.
• Itching in the anal area.

Other health problems can cause symptoms similar to hemorrhoids. Always see your doctor to be sure.

Having blood in your stool, which is a common symptom of hemorrhoids, can also be a sign of other digestive disorders, such as colorectal cancer. So it's important to see your doctor for a complete exam.

To check for hemorrhoids, your doctor may do several tests, including the following:

• Physical exam. This is done to check your anus and rectum and look for swollen blood vessels that are a sign of hemorrhoids.
• Digital rectal exam. Your doctor inserts a gloved, greased (lubricated) finger into your rectum to check for any problems.
• Anoscopy. A hollow, lighted tube is put into your anus. This is used to see internal hemorrhoids.
• Proctoscopy. A lighted tube is put into your anus. This type of tube gives a view of your entire rectum.
• Sigmoidoscopy. This test checks the inside of part of your large intestine. It helps to tell what is causing diarrhea, belly pain, constipation, abnormal growths, and bleeding. A short, flexible, lighted tube (sigmoidoscope) is put into your intestine through the rectum. This tube blows air into your intestine to make it swell. This makes it easier to see inside. A tissue sample (biopsy) can be taken, if needed.
• Colonoscopy. This test looks at the full length of your large intestine. It can help check for any abnormal growths, tissue that is red or swollen, sores (ulcers), or bleeding. A long, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope is put into your rectum and up into the colon. This tube lets your doctor see the lining of your colon and take a tissue sample (biopsy) to test it. The tube may also be used to treat some problems that may be found.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how bad the condition is.

The main goal of treatment is to reduce your symptoms. This may be done by:

• Sitting in plain, warm water in a bathtub (sitz bath) several times a day.
• Using ice packs to reduce swelling.
• Using hemorrhoid creams or medicines inserted into your rectum (suppositories).

Your doctor may also suggest that you add more fiber and fluids to your diet to help soften your stools. Having softer stools means you don't have to strain during bowel movements. This reduces the pressure on your hemorrhoids.

Adding more fiber to your diet means eating more:

• Fruits.
• Vegetables.
• Whole grains.

Your doctor may also suggest that you take stool softeners, laxatives, or fiber supplements.

In some cases, surgery is needed. There are several types of procedures and surgeries to remove or reduce internal and external hemorrhoids. These include:

• Rubber band ligation. A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid inside your rectum to cut off blood flow to the hemorrhoid. The hemorrhoid shrinks and goes away in a few days.
• Sclerotherapy. A chemical solution is injected around the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid.
• Electrical coagulation, also called infrared photo coagulation. A special device uses a beam of infrared light to burn hemorrhoid tissue.
• Hemorrhoidectomy and hemorrhoidopexy. These procedures permanently remove the hemorrhoids.

In rare cases, hemorrhoids may cause other problems. This may include:

• Having a low blood count (anemia) that makes you tired. This can happen because of bleeding from a long-term or chronic hemorrhoid.
• Blood flow being cut off from a hemorrhoid that is sticking out (prolapsed hemorrhoid). This can be very painful and cause bleeding. You may need surgery.

It's not always possible to stop hemorrhoids from happening. But you may lower your risk of getting hemorrhoids if you:

• Eat healthy foods, with plenty of fiber and liquids.
• Limit the amount of time you sit on the toilet.
• Work with your doctor to manage constipation and prevent straining.
• Stay at a healthy weight.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse or if you notice any new symptoms. Also contact your doctor if you see blood in your stool or on toilet paper for the first time or if you see more blood than normal.

• Hemorrhoids are a swelling of the veins or blood vessels in and around your anus and lower rectum. This happens when there is extra pressure on these veins.
• Hemorrhoids are either inside your anus (internal) or under the skin around your anus (external).
• About half of all people will have hemorrhoids by age 50.
• Hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy and childbirth.
• You may get hemorrhoids if you have a family history, you often strain during bowel movements, or you have long-term (chronic) constipation or diarrhea.
• Symptoms may include blood in your stool, pain around your anus, or itching in the anal area.
• Your doctor may do several tests to be sure that hemorrhoids are the cause of your symptoms.
• The goal of treatment is to reduce your symptoms.
• You may need to add more fiber and fluids to your diet.
• In some cases, surgery is needed.

Here are some tips to help you get the most from a visit to your doctor.

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of any new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your doctor gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how to contact your doctor if you have questions. This includes after office hours and on weekends.